Mrs. Smithers clasped her hands together, and uttered a cry.
"Do horses eat oysters?" demanded Smithers, furiously.
"How could I tell?" answered Tommy. "I've heard of donkeys eating thistles."
"What would you like to eat, you donkey?"
"A mild tongue," said Tommy.
"How do you mean, you idiot?"
"Do be quiet, dear," cried Mrs. Smithers.
"Am I to be insulted by this idiot of yours, madam?" thundered Smithers.
The wife raised her apron to her eyes and began to cry.
Smithers seized Tommy by the ear and pulled it, exclaiming: